Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,716, Elisha Fuller, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
Continental Mass.
Fuller, Elisha
NUMBER
S. 10716
carded
CONTENTS

27.92 Massachusetts
Elisha Fuller
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hanco of the Regt commanded by Col Crane in the Mass ★ line for 1 year service of Infantry " " " Artillery
Mass. and Continental Records completed March 1835
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of March 1833 and sent to John Howes Representative
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $225.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 31 45.00 $270.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Abel Alderson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 a Page 26

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this 16 day of Feb in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty Two personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Paine Judge of Probate now sitting Elisha Fuller a resident of Phillipston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. I enlisted as a private soldier in 1774 and belonged to a company commanded by Capt Timothy Bigelow of Worcester. I was on the field of the battle of Lexington on the 19th of April 1775 where we remained a few days when I enlisted into the service for eight months and belonged to a company commanded by said Bigelow who was afterwards Col of the 15th Mass Regt in the continental establishment in a regiment commanded by Col Jonathan Ward - While in this service said Bigelow was raised to the rank of Major and the company was commanded the residue of the time by Jonas Hubbard of Worcester - we were mostly stationed at Cambridge but marched from thence to Dorchester all in the vicinity of Boston where I remained until the eight months expired when I was verbally discharged and returned home where I remained only a very short time when I again enlisted into a company commanded by Capt Benjamin Hugg of Worcester and belonged to a regiment in which Major Hugg was an officer but I do not now recollect the other regimental officers - I marched to Dorchester where I spent in drilling without the heights and in other military in said company for the term of four months and my belief is that it was under two engagements of two months each - I saw the British evacuate Boston and was stationed at Roxbury for before Roxbury when they blew up the fort in the harbor of Boston called the Castle - at the end of four months I was again verbally discharged - soon after in June or July I again entered the service and belonged to a company commanded by William Gates of Worcester & St Nathaniel Hugg of Worcester in the regiment commanded by Col Holman in Gen. Putnam's brigade. We pro- ceeded by the way of Hartford to New Haven Conn. and thence by water to New- York where we remained in the city about two months and then moved to Greenwich and cooperated with the army in its movements in 1776. After the battle at Harlem in which I participated we retreated over Kings bridge and finally to White Plains where I was in another battle - I continued in the service five months the term of my engagement when I was honor- ably discharged at a place called Cortlandt Manor - I have before the close of this service been importuned to enlist again and I did about the first of Dec 1776 as nearly as I recollect at Fishkill in New York into a company of Artillery commanded by Capt William Danc in the regiment of Col Crane which with the other artillery was under the command of Gen Putnam. We soon moved over the North River, encamped at Newark and thence to Morristown in New Jersey where with the army I remained until the battle at Trenton in which I was and continued with the army until we returned to Morristown where we were stationed part of the time and the residue in the neighboring country until my term of service expired since I was discharged but do not recollect having but as writing I returned home in company with Saml Whitney of Worcester who was in the same company with me & received a gun with cartridges which I showed it at Trenton. He said to be alive but having removed from this part of the country I have not been able
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on a pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Elisha Fuller
Before Nathaniel Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Letter from Gen. Lee

The battle at Trenton in which I was once contained with the army until we returned to Morristown where we were stationed part of the time and the residue in the neighboring country until my term of service expired since I was discharged but do not remember having had any writing. I returned home in company with Saml Whitney of Worcester who was in the same company with me & received a gun with cartridges while I shared it at Trenton. He is said to be alive but having removed to...
hitherto to give where he lives. I often saw Genls Washington, Green, Lee, Sullivan, Snoop and others in these campaigns & have a distinct recollection of the occurrences at New York - at White Plains, forts Washington & Lee - at Trenton, Princeton, &c. I have no other account to give of my officers than the above - I have no documents or written evidence of my service except the annexed dispo- sition. I expect the records will prove the twelve months in the artillery. I was born at Newton cliffs on the 10th of Augt 1754 & have no doubt my birth is recorded on the town books though I never saw it. I lived in Worcester at several times when I entered the service - since when I lived 4 years in Roxbury 2 years in Brookline - 10 years in said Newton, and since then in Phillipsburg. Brofessor Rev Joseph Chickering & to Oliver Power Esqre the of Phillipsburg for my character and it is probably they heard it as a tradition that I served in the army - If the records furnish no evi- dence of my service & the proof offered is deemed in- sufficient I desire further opportunity to search for evi- dence.

We Joseph Chickering a Clergyman residing in the Town of Phillipston and Oliver Powers residing in Phillipston hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Fuller who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 70 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nathl. James Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Joseph Chickering Oliver Powers
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joseph Chickering who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Phillipston and that Oliver Powers Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. James Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Shepherd Wheeler before, Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Fuller for a pension. That the foregoing is a true copy of the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Elisha Fuller for a pension, as shown to the said Court, the 18th day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Shepherd Wheeler Clerk of the said Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
Elisha Fuller

Worcester ss -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the papers now produced in said Court, and commited by ribbon under this Seal of the said Court, contain the proceedings of the Court aforesaid, in the matter of the application of Elisha Fuller for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court this tenth day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three Theophilus Wheeler Reg. d of said Court

15726 Elisha Tuller Maj.
Mr. Bangs's certificate re- quired 28 Augt 1833
16 ob May 28 1833 P 40 15726
Hon John Daint Worcester Maj.

BRIEF in the case of Col. of Worcester
Elisha Fullin in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Summons  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     April In 17/3. enlisted 8 Private Col Bigelow Col Ward   again " " 11 " Col Stagg Col Tappan   July " " 5 " Col Gats Col Holman   Oct. 17/6 Voluntary " Col Dana Col Cromwell  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Harlem Heights - White Plains Battle of Trenton  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Worcester Co Mass 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations. The period of 2 and 3 years are not given 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George D. Dyer
Examining Clerk.
902 75.00 45.00 225.00

MS 4 Carr
July 1, 1925.
Mrs. Ruth R. Thompson 132 Warren Street Newton Center, Massachusetts
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S-10716 , it appears that Elisha Fuller was born at Newton, Massachusetts August 10, 1754.
While residing at Worcester, Massachusetts he enlisted in 1774 as a minute man in Captain Timothy Begelow's Massachusetts Company.
He enlisted in April 1775 and served eight months in Captains Timothy Bigelow and Jonas Hubbard's Company, Colonel Ward's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in 1776 and served four months in Captain Benjamin Flagg's Company, Under Major Tupper.
He enlisted in June or July 1776 and served five months in Captain William Gates' Company, Colonel Holman's Massachusetts Regiment and was in the battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains.

He enlisted in December 1776 and served one year in Captain William Dana's Company, Colonel Crane's Artillery and was at the battle of Trenton.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832 while residing at Phillipston, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner. ..

15126
Blake Fuller
1 year Private of Arty 1 " " Cav  2
Before a final decision can be had on this case, application must be made to S. D. Bangs Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of the claim- ants service
Aug 28. 1833
Oliver Davis
Phillipstown
Mass Hn John Davis Worcester
Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Eliza Fullin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? None are filed as proof XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Handwritten notes, mostly crossed out with heavy ink lines:  The ... of the ...  ... the ...  ... the ...

13

I Daniel Gale a Citizen of the United States, now resi- dent in Petersham in the County of Worcester, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify and declare, that Elisha Fuller of Phillipston in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, in the month of July A D 1776 enlisted for five months under Capt. William G. at Worcester.
He went thro Leicester, Spencer, Brookfield, Weston, Palmer, Wilbraham, East Windsor, Windsor, East Hartford, and crossed the Connieticutt River into Hartford, and from thence to New Haven, where we took shipping, & went to New York, and he served with myself the full term of five months, in Col. o Holmans Regiment, and was discharged in the Month of December A D 1776. & further your Deponent saith not. Daniel Gale
Worcester ss. Attest August 18 th 1832 Personally appeared Daniel Gale, and solemnly swore that the above state- ment by him subscribed is true. before me Theodore Jones. Justice of the Peace.
I have been acquainted with Daniel Gale above named, and I consider him a Man of Veracity (have been acquainted with him more than thirty years) — Theodore Jones. Justice of the Peace

I Joseph Pierce a citizen of the United States now residing at Athol in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify and declare that Elisha Fuller of Phillipston in the County of Worcester aforesaid, was in the Month of April 1775 a minute man there called under Capt. Timothy Bigelow, and on the 19th day of the same Month said Fuller Marched from Worcester (being the day the war of the Revolution commenced) under said Bigelow to Cambridge, when said Fuller enlisted under Capt. Jonas Hubbard for the term of Eight Months, said Bigelow being appointed Major, and Hubbard Capt. said Elisha Fuller with myself served the full term of Eight Months, in Col. Jonathan Ward's Regiment and on the first day of January 1776 said Fuller was discharged whether he had a written discharge or not I am not able to say, and further the Deposition is true. Joseph Pierce
Worcester ss. Attest August 18. 1832. Personally appeared Joseph Pierce, and solemnly swore that the above instrument by him subscribed is true.
Before me Theodore Jones Justice of the Peace I have been acquainted with Joseph Pierce above named more than twenty years, and consider him a man of veracity. Theodore Jones Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 21 st 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Elisha Fuller as a private is borne on a Muster Roll of a Company of Minute and Militia Men who marched from the Town of Worcester on the alarm of the 19 th April 1775. under the Command of Capt. Sime Bigelow. where he is allowed for services and travel One Month and four days. M-42 1-4
Elisha Fuller claims for services under Capt Jonas Hubbard in 1776. the roll of said Hubbard's Company is found. but the name of Elisha Fuller is not borne thereon.
Concl.
Elisha Fuller also claims for services under Capt. Benj Flagg. Capt Wm Gates in Gen l Fellows Brigade and under Capt William Dana in Col. Crain's Regt. in 1776. the rolls of which are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abraham Fuller , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1774 1 Private Abraham Dyer Mass   April 1775 8 mos " " Jonathan Ward   1776 4 mos Samuel Hovey   June 1776 5 mos x Abraham Dyer Major Lapp   Dec 1776 1 year x Wm. Dyer Colonel's Art  
Battles engaged in, Harlem Heights, White Plains, Trenton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wareham, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 16, 1832. His claim was ad.
Residence at date of application, Philipsburg, Washington Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, born at Newton Mass Aug 10 1754.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
I inserted the name of Ward and Jonathan Ward and was at the time of his death in 1774 -

1915 June 4. Heir to Miss Julia Fuller, Beatrice, Neb. and (her letter forwarded to Army Navy Dist. relative to bounty land inquiry of Aaron Fuller, Mar 1842. Mt. 18736-16058) 1926 July 1. Heir to Mrs. Ruth R. Thompson. m.d.g. (See letter in Plant # S 3079 Helen Wheeler. Mass)
Rev. has
INVALID.
File No. 10,716
Elisha Fuller  his wife
Act: June 27th 1832.
Index: —Vol. 1 , Page 134
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Elisha Fuller  Records corrected. Mich. 14/15. g